Give It Up! Say No to Pharisaical Following

 Jesus answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.’ But you say that whoever tells father or mother, ‘Whatever support you might have had from me is given to God,’ then that person need not honor the father. So, for the sake of your tradition, you nullify the word of God. You hypocrites!” (Matthew 15:3-6)

The Pharisees had found a financial loophole (called Corban) to avoid helping their aging parents.  They could take money, which should have been used to support the parents, and pledge it to the Temple.  The pledge, however, was not due until their death, so in the meantime they still retained the money.  This would be funny, if we did not know that parental neglect and abuse are not rampant in our society as well.  In this example, Jesus goes to the heart of what “Honor your father and mother” means—in includes caring for their physical needs, even if it costs you! And not finding religious excuses for not doing so. 

Prayer - Father, help me to care for whomever you place in my life, and not invent reasons to keep from doing so.